Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a load detector provided with a platform (placement
platform, mounting stand) that includes a swingable slope, and a load detecting system
(load detection system) including the load detector.
Background Art
[0002] There is known present-on-bed detection in which a load applied to a bed in hospitals,
nursing homes, and the like is detected to determine whether a patient or an assisted-living
resident is present on the bed. The detection of the load can be performed by disposing
load detectors at various positions, and Patent Literature 1 discloses, as its example,
arranging a load detector under each support leg supporting a bed.
Citation List
[0003] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No.
2005-300368
Summary of Invention
Technical Problem
[0004] It is desired that the load detector can be placed under an object to be detected
(load detection target) more easily, such as easier placement of the load detector
under each support leg supporting a bed. Although Patent Literature 1 describes that
a heavy load, such as a bed, is placed on a measuring pan of a load scale, the simplicity
and easiness of placement is not enough. Meanwhile, the load detector is desired to
prevent or reduce a measurement error during load detection.
[0005] An object of the present invention is thus to provide a load detector that allows
an object to be detected (detection object, detection target) to be easily placed
thereon and is capable of preventing or reducing a measurement error, and a load detection
system including the load detector.
Solution to the Problem
[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a load detector,
including:
a beam-type load cell which is supported on a support base in a cantilever manner;
and
a platform connected to the beam-type load cell,
wherein the platform includes a main body on which a subject is to be placed and a
slope having a first end, which is connected to the main body, the slope being configured
to guide the subject to the main body, and
the slope is configured to swing between a first position in which a second end of
the slope is in contact with a placement surface on which the load detector is placed
and a second position in which the second end is separated from the placement surface.
[0007] The load detector according to the first aspect may further include a lever connected
to the first end of the slope and extending from the first end of the slope toward
an opposite side of the second end of the slope.
[0008] In the load detector according to the first aspect, the lever may include a contact
part configured to move by being pushed by the subject on the main body and an arm
connecting the contact part and the slope.
[0009] In the load detector according to the first aspect, a recess configured to accommodate
the lever may be provided in an upper surface of the main body.
[0010] In the load detector according to the first aspect, the lever may include a movement
regulation part configured to regulate movement of the subject placed on the main
body.
[0011] In the load detector according to the first aspect, the main body may include an
opening. The load detector according to the first aspect may further include a lever
connected to the first end of the slope and disposed below the main body to cover
the opening.
[0012] The load detector according to the first aspect may further include an urging member
(biasing member) configured to urge (bias) the second end of the slope toward the
second position.
[0013] In the load detector according to the first embodiment, the main body may include
a plate configured to keep or retain the subject during load detection and a wall
provided on the plate.
[0014] In the load detector according to the first aspect, the beam-type load cell may include
a first beam-type load cell which is supported on a first support base in a cantilever
manner to have a free end and a second beam-type load cell which is disposed to face
the first beam-type load cell and which is supported on a second support base in a
cantilever manner to have a free end. The platform may be provided between the first
beam-type load cell and the second beam-type load cell and may further include a first
connection part connected to the first beam-type load cell and a second connection
part connected to the second beam-type load cell. The free end of the first beam-type
load cell and the free end of the second beam-type load cell may face opposite directions
to each other in an extending direction of the first beam-type load cell. The first
connection part of the platform may be connected to the first beam-type load cell
on a side of the free end of the first beam-type load cell and the second connection
part of the platform may be connected to the second beam-type load cell on a side
of the free end of the second beam-type load cell.
[0015] In the load detector according to the first aspect, the first beam-type load cell
may be disposed parallel to the second beam-type load cell.
[0016] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a load detection
system configured to detect a load of a human subject on a bed, the system including:
a plurality of load detectors each of which is the load detector of the first aspect,
the plurality of load detectors being disposed under legs of the bed, respectively;
and
a controller connected to the plurality of load detectors and configured to calculate
the load of the human subject based on an output of the load detector.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0017] The load detector of the present invention allows a detection target to be easily
placed thereon and is capable of preventing or reducing a measurement error.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0018]
Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a load detector according to a first embodiment
of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the load detector according to the first embodiment
of the present invention.
Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a platform included in the load detector
according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 4A depicts placement of a caster on the platform, in particular, a situation
before the caster is placed on the platform, and Fig. 4B depicts placement of the
caster on the platform, in particular, a situation after the caster is placed on the
platform.
Fig. 5 is an illustrative view illustrating the relation between positions at which
the platform is fixed to load cells and a proper placement position of an object to
be detected (detection target) on the platform.
Fig. 6 is an illustrative view illustrating a placement position of a detection target
on a mounting plate in a load detector using a single beam-type load cell.
Fig. 7 is an illustrative view illustrating distances, in a longitudinal direction
and a width direction, between a position of the detection target on the platform
and positions at which the platform is fixed to the load cells.
Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a platform according to a first modified
example of the present invention.
Fig. 9A depicts placement of the caster on the platform according to the first modified
example of the present invention, in particular, a situation before the caster is
placed on the platform, and Fig. 9B depicts placement of the caster on the platform
according to the first modified example of the present invention, in particular, a
situation after the caster is placed on the platform.
Fig. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a platform according to a second embodiment
of the present invention.
Fig. 11A depicts placement of the caster on the platform according to the second embodiment
of the present invention, in particular, a situation before the caster is placed on
the platform, and Fig. 11B depicts placement of the caster on the platform according
to the second embodiment of the present invention, in particular, a situation after
the caster is placed on the platform.
Fig. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a platform according to a second modified
example of the present invention.
Fig. 13A depicts placement of the caster on the platform according to the second modified
example of the present invention, in particular, a situation before the caster is
placed on the platform, and Fig. 13B depicts placement of the caster on the platform
according to the second modified example of the present invention, in particular,
a situation after the caster is placed on the platform.
Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a platform according to a third modified example
of the present invention.
Fig. 15A depicts placement of the caster on the platform according to the third modified
example of the present invention, in particular, a situation before the caster is
placed on the platform, and Fig. 15B depicts placement of the caster on the platform
according to the third modified example of the present invention, in particular, a
situation in which the caster is positioned on a slope.
Fig. 16 is a modified aspect of a first connection part and a second connection part
of the platforms according to the embodiments and the modified examples, wherein only
a wall of a main body, of which shape is common in the embodiments and the modified
examples, is depicted and the illustration of a plate is omitted.
Fig. 17 is a schematic view depicting a configuration of a load detection system according
to a third embodiment of the present invention.
Description of Embodiments
<First Embodiment>
[0019] Referring Figs. 1 to 7, a load detector 100 according to a first embodiment of the
present invention is explained. In the first embodiment, the load detector 100 is
a load detector that is disposed under a leg BL (Figs. 4A and 4B) of a bed to detect
a load of a human subject (subject) on the bed.
[0020] As depicted in Figs. 1 and 2, the load detector 100 mainly includes a first base
11, a second base 12, a first load cell 21 of a beam type that is connected to the
first base 11, a second load cell 22 of a beam type that is connected to the second
base 12, and a platform (mounting part) 30 that is supported by the first and second
load cells 21, 22 to be positioned therebetween. In the following, a direction in
which beams of the beam-type first and second load cells 21, 22 extend is defined
as a longitudinal direction. A surface on which the load detector 100 is placed is
referred to as a floor.
[0021] The first base 11 is a member disposed on the floor to support the first load cell
21 in a cantilever manner. The first base 11 includes a flat plate 11a, of which planar
shape is a rectangle almost identical to the planer shape of the first load cell 21,
and a support base part 11b that extends upward from an end of the flat plate 11a.
A top surface 11bt of the support base part 11b is positioned above a top surface
11at of the flat plate 11a.
[0022] The top surface 11bt of the support base part 11b includes two screw holes Th. The
first load cell 21 is fixed to the support base part 11b via screws T and the screw
holes Th.
[0023] The second base 12, which has the same shape as the first base 11, includes a flat
plate 12a and a support base part 12b. The second base 12 is disposed to face the
first base 11 (to be parallel to the first base 11 in the first embodiment) with a
predefined distance intervening therebetween, and the support base part 11b of the
first base 11 is positioned on a side opposite to the side on which the support base
part 12b is positioned. Namely, the support base part 11b is connected to the flat
plate 11a of the first base 11 on a side opposite to the side on which the support
base part 12b is connected to the flat plate 12a of the second base 12, in the longitudinal
direction. The second load cell 22 is fixed to the support base part 12b via screws
T and screw holes Th formed in the top surface 12bt of the support base part 12b.
[0024] The first load cell 21, which is a beam-type load cell, includes a flexure element
(strain body) 21s in a rectangular column shape that has a through hole h, and a strain
gage 21g attached on the flexure element 21s. The first load cell 21 detects the strain
or distortion generated in the flexure element 21s as the change in a resistance value
of the strain gage 21g. Accordingly, the load applied to the first load cell 21 is
detected.
[0025] The flexure element 21s is a long square pillar made of metal such as aluminum or
iron. The through hole h, which passes through the flexure element 21s in the width
direction, is formed in the center portion in the longitudinal direction of the flexure
element 21s. The through hole h includes two circular holes hc and a rectangular hole
hr. Each of the circular holes hc has a circular cross-sectional shape, and the rectangular
hole hr, which has a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape, connects the
two circular holes hc to each other in the longitudinal direction. Parts, of the flexure
element 21s, positioned on the upper and lower sides of the through hole h are thin
parts 21th that are thinner in the up-down direction due to existence of the through
hole h.
[0026] Two screw holes Th passing through the flexure element 21s in the up-down direction
are formed in the vicinity of a first end 21ss of the flexure element 21s. The first
end 21ss of the flexure element 21s is fixed to the support base part 11b of the first
base 11 via screws T and the screw holes Th. This allows the flexure element 21s to
be supported by the first base 11 (support base part 11b) in a cantilever manner with
the first end 21ss being a fixed end, the second end 21sf being a free end.
[0027] Further, two screw holes Th passing through the flexure element 21s in the up-down
direction are formed in the vicinity of the second end 21sf of the flexure element
21s. The platform 30 is fixed to a lower surface 21sd of the flexure element 21s in
the vicinity of the second end 21sf via the screws T and the screw holes Th. Namely,
the flexure element 21s (first load cell 21) supports the platform 30 in the vicinity
of the second end 21sf as the free end so that the platform 30 is movable in the up-down
direction.
[0028] Two strain gages 21g are attached to the thin parts 21th of the flexure element 21s.
Specifically, one of the two strain gages 21g is attached to an upper surface 21st
of the flexure element 21s and the other of the two strain gages 21g is attached to
the lower surface 21sd of the flexure element 21s, at the substantially center portion
in the longitudinal direction of the flexure element 21s. The strain gages 21g are
connected to an external controller via unillustrated lead wires.
[0029] The second load cell 22, which has the same structure as the first load cell 21,
includes a flexure element (strain body) 22s in a rectangular column-shape and two
strain gages 22g. The flexure element 22s includes a through hole h passing through
the center portion of the flexure element 22s in the width direction. Each of the
strain gages 22g is attached to the corresponding one of thin parts 22th of the flexure
element 22s. The second load cell 22 is disposed to face the first load cell 21 (to
be parallel to the first load cell 21 in first embodiment) with a predefined distance
intervening therebetween.
[0030] Two screw holes Th passing through the flexure element 22s in the up-down direction
are formed in the vicinity of a first end 22ss of the flexure element 22s. The first
end 22ss of the flexure element 22s is fixed to the support base part 12b of the second
base 12 via screws T and the screw holes Th. This allows the flexure element 22s to
be supported by the second base 12 (support base part 12b) in a cantilever manner
with the first end 22ss being a fixed end, a second end 22sf being a free end.
[0031] Further, two screw holes Th passing through the flexure element 22s in the up-down
direction are formed in the vicinity of the second end 22sf of the flexure element
22s. The platform 30 is fixed to a lower surface 22sd of the flexure element 22s in
the vicinity of the second end 22sf via screws T and the screw holes Th. Namely, the
flexure element 22s (second load cell 22) supports the platform 30 in the vicinity
of the second end 22sf as the free end so that the platform 30 is movable in the up-down
direction. In the arrangement relation between the flexure element 21s and the flexure
element 22s, the first end (fixed end) 22ss of the flexure element 22s is in the same
position, in the longitudinal direction, as the second end (free end) 21sf of the
flexure element 21s, and the second end (free end) 22sf of the flexure element 22s
is in the same position, in the longitudinal direction, as the first end (fixed end)
21ss of the flexure element 21s. Namely, the flexure element 21s and the flexure element
22s extend in the same direction while facing each other, and the fixed end and the
free end of the flexure element 21s are positioned reversely to the fixed end and
the free end of the flexure element 22s in the longitudinal direction. Further, the
support base part 11b supporting the flexure element 21s is in substantially the same
position as the second end (free end) 22sf of the flexure element 22s in the longitudinal
direction, and the support base part 12b supporting the flexure element 22s is in
substantially the same position as the second end (free end) 21sf of the flexure element
21s in the longitudinal direction.
[0032] The platform 30 is a platform on which an object to be detected (detection object,
detection target) is placed when a load of the detection target is to be detected
by the load detector 100. As depicted in Fig. 3, the platform 30 includes a main body
30M and a guide 30G that is attached to the main body 30M so that the guide 30G moves
swingably (moves like a seesaw, or moves pivotally).
[0033] The main body 30M includes a rectangular plate P
30 on which the detection target is placed, a wall W surrounding the plate P
30 on three sides thereof, and a first connection part C1 and a second connection part
C2 that are provided in the wall W. The first and second connection parts C1 and C2
are provided in the wall W. A side, on which the detection target described below
is placed, relative to the plate P
30 is defined as the upper side of the main body 30M and the plate P
30 (above the main body 30M and the plate P
30), and its opposite side is defined as the lower side of the main body 30M and the
plate P
30 (below the main body 30M and the plate P
30).
[0034] A recess R
30, which has substantially a C-shape or U-shape in plan view, is provided in the upper
surface of the plate P
30. The recess R
30 is formed so that an opening portion of the C-shape (U-shape) is positioned on one
side in the long-side direction of the plate P
30 (on a side having no wall W).
[0035] One of short sides of the plate P
30 not having the wall W is provided with a shaft support part S, which has a rectangular
parallelepiped shape and disposed at the center portion of the short side. The shaft
support part S is provided with bosses B protruding toward both sides in the short-side
direction of the plate P
30.
[0036] The wall W, which is perpendicular (orthogonal) to the plate P
30, includes a first long wall WL1 extending along one of the long sides of the plate
P
30, a second long wall WL2 extending along the other of the long sides of the plate
P
30, and a short wall WS extending along one of the short sides of the plate P
30 and connecting the first long wall WL1 and the second long wall WL2.
[0037] Ends, of the first long wall WL1 and the second long wall WL2, opposite to ends connected
to the short wall WS protrude beyond the plate P
30. In the following, a protruding portion of the first long wall WL1 is referred to
as a first protrusion WL1p, and a protruding portion of the second long wall WL2 is
referred to as a second protrusion WL2p. The inner surfaces, of the first protrusion
WL1p and the second protrusion WL2p, facing each other are tapered so that a distance
between the inner surfaces are longer as the inner surfaces are further separated
from the plate P
30 in the long-side direction of the plate P
30.
[0038] The first connection part C1, which has a plate-like shape and is parallel to the
plate P
30, is provided in the outer surface of the first protrusion WL1p. The first connection
part C1, which has a substantially square shape in plan view, has two screw holes
Th at substantially the center portion. The first connection part C1 is fixed to the
lower surface 21sd of the flexure element 21s of the first load cell 21 in the vicinity
of the second end (free end) 21sf of the flexure element 21s via the screws T and
the screw holes Th (Figs. 1 and 2).
[0039] The outer surface, of the short wall WS, facing a side opposite to the side on which
the plate P
30 is positioned is provided with the second connection part C2 having a plate-like
shape and being parallel to the plate P
30. The second connection part C2 has a rectangular shape of which longitudinal direction
is the extending direction of the short wall WS. An end in the longitudinal direction
of the second connection part C2 extends beyond the second long wall WL2. The portion
extending beyond the second long wall WL2 has two screw holes Th. The second connection
part C2 is fixed to the lower surface 22sd of the flexure element 22s of the second
load cell 22 in the vicinity of the second end (free end) 22sf of the flexure element
22s via the screws T and the screw holes Th (Figs. 1 and 2). As depicted in Figs.
2 and 3, the screw holes Th of the first connection part C1 and the screw holes Th
of the second connection part C2 are arranged with the plate P
30 intervening therebetween in the diagonal direction.
[0040] The guide 30G, which has a plate-like shape, includes a slope SL
30 and a lever LV
30 connected integrally with the slope SL
30.
[0041] The slope SL
30 has substantially a rectangular shape in plan view. The upper surface of the slope
SL
30 defines an inclined surface (slope) for moving a rolling body (e.g., a caster CT)
from the floor onto the platform 30. In the slope SL
30, a notch n, which has substantially a rectangular shape in plan view, is defined
at the center portion of a long side (a first end) to which the lever LV
30 is connected. Surfaces facing each other and defining short sides of the notch n
respectively include recessed holes c. The slope SL
30 is thicker than the lever LV
30 (see Figs. 3, 4A, and 4B). The slope SL
30 is tapered toward a front end SLT (a second end).
[0042] The lever LV
30 is an extending part that extends from the first end of the slope SL
30 toward an opposite side of the front end SLT. The lever LV
30 includes a first arm AM1 and a second arm AM2 which are connected to ends of the
long sides of the rectangular slope SL
30, and a rectangular part (contact part) RC that is disposed on an opposite side of
the slope SL
30 and connected to the first arm AM1 and the second arm AM2. The lever LV
30 has substantially a C-shape (U-shape) in plan view.
[0043] The guide 30G is attached to the main body 30M so that the guide 30G can move swingably.
Specifically, fitting the bosses B of the shaft support part S of the plate P
30 into the recessed holes c of the notch n of the slope SL
30 allows the guide 30G to be connected to the main body 30M so that the guide 30G seesaws
(swings) around a swing shaft X
30 connecting the bosses B and the recessed holes c. The guide 30G is configured so
that weight of the front side of the recessed holes c (a side close to the front end
SLT of the slope SL
30) is greater than weight of the rear side of the recessed holes c (a side close to
the lever LV
30) by differentiating the thickness and structure of the slope SL
30 from those of the lever LV
30, in the extending direction of the guide 30G. In that configuration, the guide 30G
moves like a seesaw, with the swing shaft X
30 as the center, in a direction in which the front end SLT moves down, when no load
is applied to the lever LV
30. This makes the front end SLT contact with the floor. Instead of the configuration
in which the front end SLT side of the slope SL
30 is heavier than the lever LV
30 side of the slope SL
30, the slope SL
30 may include a mechanism that urges (biases) the front end SLT with a spring, a magnet,
or the like toward the floor.
[0044] The shape of the recess R
30 of the plate P
30 of the main body 30M in plan view is substantially the same as the shape of the lever
LV
30 of the guide 30G in plan view. In that configuration, when the guide 30G moves like
a seesaw relative to the main body 30M to make lever LV
30 of the guide 30G contact with the plate P
30 of the main body 30M, the lever LV
30 is disposed in the recess R
30 (Fig. 4B). Here, the upper surface of the lever LV
30 may be flush with the upper surface of the plate P
30.
[0045] Subsequently, explanation is made about a method for using the load detector 100
by citing, as its example, a case in which the detection target is a human subject
on a bed and the caster CT for moving the bed, which is attached to the lower end
of the leg BL (Figs. 4A and 4B) of the bed, is placed on the platform 30. In that
case, the caster CT is also the detection target (subject).
[0046] When the load detection using the load detector 100 is performed, at first, the caster
CT is placed on the plate P
30 of the main body 30M of the platform 30. In a state where the caster CT is not placed
on the plate P
30 (Fig. 4A), the front end SLT of the slope SL
30 is in a first position where the front end SLT is brought into contact with a floor
F due to the weight of the slope SL
30. In that situation, since there is no height difference between the floor F and the
slope SL
30, the caster CT easily moves obliquely upward along the upper surface (inclined surface)
of the slope SL
30. Then, the caster CT reaches the front end of the plate P
30 of the main body 30M, namely, a position on the swing shaft X
30. So far, the guide 30G has no posture change.
[0047] Subsequently, when the caster CT that has reached the front end of the plate P
30 (i.e., the position on the swing shaft X
30) passes the position on the swing shaft X
30 and moves toward the short wall WS, the caster CT runs on a rectangular part RC of
the lever LV
30 of the guide 30G, which pushes the rectangular part RC downward. This causes the
guide 30G to seesaw with the swing shaft X
30 as the center, fitting the lever LV
30 of the guide 30G in the recess R
30 of the plate P
30 of the main body 30M (Fig. 4B). The caster CT stops at the timing at which the caster
CT comes into contact with the short wall WS, and the placement ends.
[0048] When the lever LV
30 is fitted into the recess R
30, the front end SLT of the slope SL
30 swings to be in a second position where the front end SLT is separated from the floor.
In the second position, the entirety of the slope SL
30 including the front end SLT is separated from the floor. Further, a flat surface
is defined by the upper surface of the plate P
30 and the upper surface of the lever LV
30 and the caster CT is positioned on the flat surface. This eliminates, for example,
a measurement error which may otherwise be caused by movement of the caster CT due
to the height difference between the upper surface of the plate P
30 and the upper surface of the rectangular part RC. In order to prevent rotational
movement of the caster CT, the caster CT may be locked after being placed on the platform
30.
[0049] As depicted in Fig. 5, the platform 30 of the first embodiment is configured so that
the center portion in plan view of the caster CT, which is brought into contact with
the wall W and is placed on the plate P
30, is positioned, in plan view, on a line L or in the vicinity thereof. The line L
connects a connection position between the first connection part C1 and the first
load cell 21 and a connection position between the second connection part C2 and the
second load cell 22. Although the line L is similar to the diagonal line of the plate
P
30, they are not identical. The line L, however, may be identical to the diagonal line
of the plate P
30.
[0050] Casters attached to other legs of the bed are similarly placed on pieces of the load
detector 100.
[0051] The load of the human subject on the bed is transmitted to the flexure element 21s
of the first load cell 21 and the flexure element 22s of the second load cell 22 that
support the platform 30, via the bed leg BL, the caster CT, and the platform 30. The
load transmitted generates the strain in the flexure element 21s and the flexure element
22s, and the strain gages 21g, 22g each detect the strain as the change in a resistance
value. The change in the resistance value is outputted to the controller (not depicted
in the drawing) that is provided outside the load detector 100, provided in the first
base 11, or provided in the second base 12, via lead wires (not depicted in the drawing).
Performing Arithmetic processing by the controller determines the load of the human
subject.
[0052] Here, explanation is made about the reason why the load detector 100 of the first
embodiment supports the platform 30 at two points by use of the first load cell 21
and the second load cell 22.
[0053] In the load detector 100 of the first embodiment, as depicted in Fig. 5, the main
body 30M of the platform 30 is supported in the vicinity of the second end 21sf of
the flexure element 21s of the first load cell 21 via the first connection part C1,
and is supported in the vicinity of the second end 22sf of the flexure element 22s
of the second load cell 22 via the second connection part C2, to be movable in the
up-down direction.
[0054] Assuming that the center point of fixing of the first connection part C1 to the flexure
element 21s is defined as a fixing center A1 and the center point of fixing of the
second connection part C2 to the flexure element 22s is defined as a fixing center
A2, the line L connecting the fixing center A1 and the fixing center A2 in the shortest
distance is a part, of the main body 30M of the platform 30, which is least likely
to bend. Thus, disposing the caster CT of the bed on the line L enables the detection
of load of the human subject on the bed while reducing the effect of bending of the
platform 30.
[0055] As described above, the main body 30M of the platform 30 of the load detector 100
according to the first embodiment is configured so that the caster CT brought into
contact with the short wall WS is positioned on the line L or in the vicinity thereof.
Thus, it is possible to detect a load of the human subject stably and precisely while
disposing the caster CT on the line L or in the vicinity thereof in a stable fashion.
[0056] When compared to a load detector (hereinafter referred to as a single-load-cell-type
load detector) in which a mounting plate is attached to an end of a beam-type load
cell, the load detector 100 of the present invention can detect a load more stably
and accurately. The reason thereof is explained while referring to a single-load-cell-type
load detector 900 depicted in Fig. 6. As depicted in Fig. 6, the single-load-cell-type
load detector 900, in which a mounting plate PT is connected to an end of a beam-type
load cell LC, has a relatively small position deviation error, in a case that a placement
position pn of a detection target is in the vicinity of a connection position A0 between
the beam-type load cell LC and the mounting plate PT. The position deviation error,
however, increases as the distance between the placement position pn and the connection
position A0 is longer. The reason thereof is as follows. Namely, as the distance between
the placement position pn and the connection position A0 in the longitudinal direction
of the beam-type load cell LC is longer, the bending moment, of which degree depends
on the distance between the placement position pn and the connection position A0 in
the longitudinal direction, acts on a flexure element of the beam-type load cell LC
around an axis extending in the width direction of the beam-type load cell LC to cause
the strain in the flexure element. This strain causes the position deviation error
in a strain gage of the beam-type load cell LC. Further, as the distance between the
placement position pn and the connection position A0 in the width direction of the
beam-type load cell LC is longer, the torsional or twisting moment, of which degree
depends on the distance between the placement position pn and the connection position
A0 in the width direction, acts on the flexure element of the beam-type load cell
LC around an axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the beam-type load cell
LC to cause the strain in the flexure element. This strain causes the position deviation
error in the strain gage of the beam-type load cell LC.
[0057] In the load detector 100 of the first embodiment, as depicted in Fig. 7, assuming
that a distance, in the longitudinal direction, between the fixing center A1 and a
placement position PN of the detection target placed on the plate P
30 of the main body 30M of the platform 30 is defined as a distance x
P1 and that a distance, in the longitudinal direction, between the fixing center A2
and the placement position PN is defined as a distance x
P2, the total of the distances x
P1, x
P2 is constant over almost the whole area of the plate P
30 of the main body 30M. Thus, even when the placement position PN is displaced in the
front-rear direction in the load detector 100 of the first embodiment, the total of
the position deviation error caused in the first load cell 21 by the bending moment
and the position deviation error caused in the second load cell 22 by the bending
moment is approximately constant (a value having a certain ratio to the weight of
the detection target) at all times. Therefore, the effect of the position deviation
error caused by the bending moment is virtually removed, for example, by allowing
the controller (not depicted in the drawings) to sum up detection values of the first
load cell 21 and the second load cell 22 and to subtract a certain value (the value
having the certain ratio to the weight of the detection target) as the position deviation
error therefrom. Accordingly, the load of the detection target can be detected stably.
[0058] Further, as depicted in Fig. 7, assuming that a distance, in the width direction,
between the fixing center A1 and the placement position PN of the detection target
placed on the plate P
30 of the main body 30M is defined as a distance y
P1 and that a distance, in the width direction, between the fixing center A2 and the
placement position PN is defined as a distance y
P2, the total of the distances y
P1, y
P2 is constant over almost the whole area of the plate P
30 of the main body 30M. Thus, even when the placement position PN is displaced in the
width direction in the load detector 100 of the first embodiment, the total of the
position deviation error caused in the first load cell 21 by the torsional moment
and the position deviation error caused in the second load cell 22 by the torsional
moment is approximately constant (a value having a certain ratio to the weight of
the detection target) at all times. Therefore, the effect of the position deviation
error caused by the torsional moment is virtually removed, for example, by allowing
the controller (not depicted in the drawings) to sum up detection values of the first
load cell 21 and the second load cell 22 and to subtract a certain value (the value
having the certain ratio to the weight of the detection target) as the position deviation
error therefrom. Accordingly, the load of the detection target can be detected stably.
[0059] Effects of the load detector 100 of the first embodiment are summarized as follows.
[0060] The platform 30 of the load detector 100 of the first embodiment includes the main
body 30M and the guide 30G that is movable like a seesaw relative to the main body
30M. When the rolling body (e.g., the caster CT) as the detection target is introduced
on the main body 30M, it is possible to use the slope SL
30 having the front end SLT brought into contact with the floor F. The detection target
can thus be placed on the main body 30M easily.
[0061] In the platform 30 of the load detector 100 of the first embodiment, when the rolling
body (e.g., the caster CT) as the detection target moves on the main body 30M, pushing
the lever LV
30 of the guide 30G toward the main body 30M causes the guide 30G to move like a seesaw
(swing), which separates the front end SLT of the slope SL
30 from the floor F. The state where the slope SL
30 is separated from the floor F is maintained as long as the rolling body is present
on the main body 30M. Thus, the load detection that is performed by placing the detection
target on the main body 30M does not have a measurement error which may otherwise
be caused by the contact between the guide 30G and the floor F.
[0062] In the platform 30 of the load detector 100 of the first embodiment, most of the
load from the rolling body (e.g., the caster CT) is applied to the plate P
30, and only a part of the load from the rolling body (e.g., the caster CT) is applied
to the guide 30G via the rectangular part RC of the lever LV
30. That configuration reduces the load applied to the swing shaft X
30 over time, preventing components or parts, such as the bosses B and the recessed
holes C, from being damaged. It is desired that the depth of the recess R
30 (the height of the upper surface of the plate P
30 relative to the bottom surface of the recess R
30) is greater than the thickness of the lever LV
30. This configuration has a gap (backlash) between the lower surface of the lever LV
30 and the bottom surface of the recess R
30, and the load from the rolling body (e.g., the caster CT) is applied only to the
plate P
30, making it possible to further reduce the load on the swing shaft X
30.
[0063] In the load detector 100 of the first embodiment, the platform 30 includes the first
connection part C1 and the second connection part C2 on both sides in the diagonal
direction of the plate P
30 of the main body 30M, and the platform 30 is supported by the first load cell 21
and the second load cell 22 via the first connection part C1 and the second connection
part C2 to be movable in the up-down direction. In that configuration, disposing the
detection target on the line L (that is similar to or the same as the diagonal line
of the plate P
30) connecting the connection position between the first connection part C1 and the
first load cell 21 and the connection position between the second connection part
C2 and the second load cell 22 results in a successful load detection of the detection
target without suffering the effect of bending of the plate P
30.
[0064] In the load detector 100 of the first embodiment, the total value of position deviation
errors that are caused in the first and second load cells 21, 22 by the bending moment
and the total value of position deviation errors that are caused in the first and
second load cells 21, 22 by the torsional moment are approximately constant at all
times. Therefore, the effect of each position deviation error is virtually removed
by summing up detection values of the first load cell 21 and the second load cell
22 and subtracting the position deviation error, which is an approximately constant
value, therefrom. Accordingly, the load detection can be performed stably and precisely.
[0065] In the load detector 100 of the first embodiment, the first arm AM1 and the second
arm AM2 of the lever LV
30 of the guide 30G of the platform 30 may be connected to the slope SL
30 in the vicinity of the center portion in the longitudinal direction of the slope
SL
30. Any one of the first arm AM1 and the second arm AM2 may be omitted. The number of
arms and the arrangement thereof may be changed so that the rolling body placed on
the platform 30 does not apply an unnecessary load to the guide 30G via the arm(s).
<First Modified Example>
[0066] Referring to Figs. 8, 9A, and 9B, explanation is made about a platform of the load
detector 100 according to a first modified example. A platform 31 of the first modified
example is the same as the platform 30 of the first embodiment, except that a lever
LV
31 of a guide 31G is a rectangular flat plate having no opening, that a recess R
31 having a rectangular shape in plan view is provided in a plate P
31 of a main body 31M instead of the recess R
30 having substantially a C-shape in plan view, and that the guide 31G is connected
to the main body 31M by fitting the bosses B provided in the slope SL
31 into the recess holes c provided in the wall W of the main body 31M.
[0067] As depicted in Figs. 9A and 9B, the rolling body (e.g., the caster CT) can be introduced
on the platform 31 of the first modified example, similarly to the introduction of
the rolling body on the platform 30 provided in the load detector 100 of the first
embodiment. In the first modified example, the caster CT that passed a position on
a swing shaft X
31 runs on the lever LV
31 of the guide 31G, pushing the lever LV
31 downward. This causes the guide 31G to move like a seesaw around the swing shaft
X
31, the lever LV
31 of the guide 31G is fitted into the recess R
31 of the plate P
31 of the main body 31M, and thus the entirety of the slope SL
31 including the front end SLT is separated from the floor. The caster CT stops at the
timing at which the caster CT comes into contact with the short wall WS, and the placement
ends.
[0068] In the platform 31 of the first modified example, the caster CT that passes the position
on the swing shaft X
31 and runs toward the short wall WS moves rotatably only on the upper surface of the
lever LV
31 having a flat plate shape, and then placed on the upper surface of the lever LV
31. The lever LV
31 is flat, has no opening, and has no height difference between the lever LV
31 and another part. In that configuration, the caster CT is surely placed on the flat
surface irrespective of the position on the platform where the caster CT stops. This
prevents a measurement error which may otherwise be caused by the height difference,
between the lever LV
31 and another part, which would affect the caster CT.
<Second Embodiment>
[0069] Referring to Figs. 10, 11A, and 11B, a platform of the load detector 100 according
to a second embodiment is explained. A platform 32 of the second embodiment is the
same as the platform 31 of the first modified example, except that a groove G1 having
an arc-like shape and extending in the short-side direction of a plate P
32 is provided in a recess R
32, which has a rectangular shape in plan view, of the plate P
32 of a main body 32M, and that a groove (movement regulation part) G2 which has an
arc-like shape and of which shape and arrangement correspond to those of the groove
G1, is provided in a lever LV
32 of a guide 32G.
[0070] As depicted in Figs. 11A and 11B, the rolling body (e.g., the caster CT) can be introduced
on the platform 32 of the second embodiment, similarly to the introduction of the
rolling body on the platform 31 of the first modified example. In the second embodiment,
the caster CT that passed a position on a swing shaft X
32 runs on the lever LV
32 of the guide 32G, pushing the lever LV
32 downward. This causes the guide 32G to move like a seesaw around the swing shaft
X
32, fitting the lever LV
32 of the guide 32G into the recess R
32 of the plate P
32 of the main body 32M and fitting the groove G2 of the lever LV
32 into the groove G1 of the recess R
32. In that situation, the entirety of the slope SL
32 including the front end SLT is separated from the floor. The caster CT that passes
the position on the swing shaft X
32 and moves toward the short wall WS runs on the lever LV
32, and stops by being fitted into the groove G2 (Fig. 11B). Namely, the groove G2 functions
to position the caster CT at an appropriate detection position on the platform 32.
The groove G2 also functions to keep the caster CT on the platform 32 even when force
acts on the caster CT due to an earthquake, an unexpected contact, or an unexpected
collision. The shapes of the grooves G1 and G2 are not limited to those depicted in
Figs. 11A and 11B, and each of the grooves G1 and G2 may have any shape.
<Second Modified Example>
[0071] Referring to Figs. 12, 13A, and 13B, explanation is made about a second modified
example of the platform 30 of the load detector 100 according to the first embodiment.
A platform 33 of the second modified example is mainly different from the platform
30 of the load detector 100 according to the first embodiment in that a lever LV
33 of a guide 33G is a member that is rectangular in plan view and is disposed below
a main body 33M, and that a plate P
33 of the main body 33M is a flat plate having an opening OP. The guide 33G is attached
to the main body 33M so that the guide 33G moves like a seesaw around a swing shaft
X
33 by fitting the bosses B protruding from the shaft support part S of the lever LV
33 into the recessed holes c of the notch n of the plate P
33 of the main body 33M. In that situation, the lever LV
33 is disposed below the opening OP.
[0072] As depicted in Figs. 13A and 13B, the rolling body (e.g., the caster CT) can be introduced
on the platform 33 of the second modified example, similarly to the introduction of
the rolling body on the platform 30 of the load detector 100 of the first embodiment.
In the second modified example, the caster CT that passed a position on the swing
shaft X
33 runs on the plate P
33 of the main body 33M toward the short wall WS. Then, the caster CT stops by being
fitted into the opening OP of the plate P
33, which pushes the lever LV
33 of the guide 33G downward. This causes the guide 33G to move like a seesaw around
the swing shaft X
33, and the entirety of a slope SL
33 including the front end SLT is separated from the floor F.
[0073] Similar to the groove G2 of the second embodiment, the opening OP of the plate P
33 of the second modified example positions the caster CT at an appropriate detection
position and prevents the caster CT from falling from the platform 33 due to unexpected
external force. Further, in the second modified example, fitting the rolling body
(e.g., the caster CT) into the opening OP causes the guide 33G to swing, which moves
the slope SL
33 upward. In that configuration, a user can check whether the rolling body (e.g., the
caster CT) is fitted into the opening OP and positioned at the appropriate detection
position only by visually checking, at the time of placement for example, whether
the front end SLT of the slope SL
33 moves upward.
[0074] In the platform 33 of the second modified example, the entire load of the caster
CT is applied to the main body 33M in the state where the caster CT is fitted into
the opening OP and positioned at the appropriate detection position. That configuration
reduces the load applied to the swing shaft X
33 over time, preventing components or parts, such as the bosses B and the recessed
holes C, from being damaged.
<Third Modified Example>
[0075] Referring to Figs. 14, 15A, and 15B, explanation is made about a second modified
example of the platform 30 of the load detector 100 of the first embodiment. A platform
34 of the third modified example is the same as the platform 30 of the load detector
100 of the first embodiment, except that a guide 34G has no lever, no recess is formed
on the upper surface of a plate P
34 of a main body 34M, and an urging (biasing) member that urges (biases) the front
end SLT of the guide 34G upward is provided. Specifically, the urging member is torsion
spring(s) (not depicted) that is/are disposed to surround boss(es) (not depicted)
protruding from the shaft support part S.
[0076] In the platform 34 of the third modified example, the front end SLT of the guide
34G is in the second position where the front end SLT is separated from the floor
F, even when the rolling body (e.g., the caster CT) is not placed on the platform
34. The front end SLT is in the first position where the front end SLT is brought
into contact with the floor F, only when the rolling body is positioned on the guide
34G. In that point, the platform 34 is different from the platforms 30, 31, 32, and
33 according to the above embodiments and modified examples in which the front end
SLT of the slope is in the first position where the front end SLT is brought into
contact with the floor F when the rolling body is not placed on each of the platforms
30, 31, 32, and 33.
[0077] When the caster CT is introduced on the platform 34, the caster CT may be positioned
on the floor F in the vicinity of the platform 34 (Fig. 15A). In that case, the guide
34G of the platform 34 is urged by the torsion spring(s), so that the front end SLT
of the guide 34G is in the second position where the front end SLT is separated from
the floor F.
[0078] Subsequently, when the caster CT approaches the platform 34, the caster CT runs on
the front end SLT of the guide 34G and pushes the guide 34G downward. This causes
the guide 34G to move like a seesaw (to swing) around a swing shaft X
34, making the front end SLT contact with the floor F (Fig. 15B). Accordingly, the caster
CT runs on a slope defined on the upper surface of the guide 34G, rotatably moves
obliquely upward on the slope, and reaches the main body 34M.
[0079] In a state where the caster CT is placed on the plate P
34 of the main body 34M, no pushing force acting downward is applied to the guide 34G.
In that case, the front end SLT of the guide 34G is urged by the torsion spring(s),
keeping the front end SLT in the second position where the front end SLT is separated
from the floor F.
[0080] In the platform 34 of the third modified example, the rolling body that passes a
position on the swing shaft X
34 and moves toward the short wall WS rotatably moves only on the upper surface of the
flat plate P
34 of the main body 34M and then is placed on the upper surface of the plate P
34. This prevents a measurement error which may otherwise be caused by the height difference,
between the upper surface of the plate P
34 and another part, which would affect the caster CT.
[0081] The platform 34 of the third modified example may not have a structure that urges
the front end SLT of the guide 34G upward, such as the torsion spring. In that configuration,
for example, the guide 34G is attached to the main body 34M in accordance with such
an aspect that the upper surface of the guide 34G can swingably move to a position
where the upper surface of the guide 34G comes into contact with the upper surface
of the plate P
34. When using the load detector, a user manually operates the guide 34G so that the
guide 34G swings. After the user places the rolling body (e.g., the caster CT) on
the platform 34, the guide 34G is kept on the plate P
34 in a state where the upper surface of the guide 34G is brought into contact with
the upper surface of the plate P
34.
[0082] The following modifications can be applied to the first and second embodiments and
the first to third modified examples.
[0083] The first connection part C1 and the second connection part C2 included in the main
bodies 30M, 31M, 32M, 33M, and 34M of the platforms 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34 according
to the embodiments and the modified examples may be configured as depicted in Fig.
16. Namely, the first connection part C1 has a vertical part C1v extending upward
and parallel to the first long wall WL1, and a horizonal part C1h extending from the
upper end of the vertical part C1v in the horizonal direction, which is perpendicular
(orthogonal) to the vertical part C1v. The second connection part C2 has a first horizonal
part C2h1 having a rectangular shape in plan view and extending from the short wall
WS in the horizontal direction, a vertical part C2v extending upward from a short
side on the second long wall WL2 side of the first horizontal part C2h1, and a second
horizonal part C2h2 extending from the upper end of the vertical part C2v in the horizonal
direction, which is perpendicular to the vertical part C2v. The first connection part
C1 is connected to the upper surface 21st of the flexure element 21s in the vicinity
of the second end 21sf of the flexure element 21s of the first load cell 21. The second
connection part C2 is connected to the upper surface 22st of the flexure element 22s
in the vicinity of the second end 22sf of the flexure element 22s of the second load
cell 22.
[0084] In the platforms 30, 31, 32, 33 and 34 of the above embodiments and modified examples,
the first connection part C1 may be a surface connected to the front end of the protrusion
WL1p of the first long wall WL1 and parallel to the short wall WS. In that case, the
platform is attached to the first load cell 21 by fixing the surface to an end surface
in the longitudinal direction of the flexure element 21s of the first load cell 21.
The same is true of the second connection part C2.
[0085] In each of the platforms 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34 of the above embodiments and modified
examples, it is not indispensable to arrange the fist connection part C1 and the second
connection part C2 on the diagonal line of each of the plates P
30, P
31, P
32, P
33, and P
34 provided that the first connection part C1 and the second connection part C2 are
arranged with each of the plates P
30, P
31, P
32, P
33, and P
34 intervening therebetween in the diagonal direction.
[0086] It is not indispensable to attach the first connection part C1 of each of the platforms
30, 31, 32, 33, and 34 of the above embodiments and modified examples to the vicinity
of the second end 21sf of the flexure element 21s of the first load cell 21. The first
connection part C1 may be attached to the flexure element 21s of the first load cell
21 on the second end 21sf side (free end side) relative to the center portion in the
longitudinal direction. The first connection part C1 may be attached to the flexure
element 21s of the first load cell 21 at any position on the free end side of the
thin part 21th. The same is true of the attachment of the second connection part C2
to the flexure element 22s of the second load cell 22. The second connection part
C2 may be attached to the flexure element 22s of the second load cell 22 on the second
end 22sf side (free end side) relative to the center portion in the longitudinal direction.
[0087] Each of the platforms 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34 of the above embodiments and modified
examples can be used as a platform of the single-load-cell-type load detector 900
such as depicted in Fig. 6. In that case, for example, the first connection part C1
and the second connection part C2 are not required to be provided in the main bodies
30M, 31M, 32M, 33M, and 34M of the platforms 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34. The front end
of the load cell LC is fixed and connected to the short wall WS. Further, each of
the platforms 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34 of the above embodiments and modified examples
can be used as a measuring pan of a load scale having three load cell sensors, such
as described in Patent Literature 1.
[0088] Each of the platforms 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34 of the above embodiments and modified
examples may not have the wall W.
[0089] In each of the platforms 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34 of the above embodiments and modified
examples, the above-described method of connecting each of the guides 30G, 31G, 32G,
33G, and 34G to the corresponding one of the main bodies 30M, 31M, 32M, 33M, and 34M
in such a manner that the guide can move like a seesaw or can swing relative to the
main body is an example, and any other method may be used. For example, the positional
relation between the bosses B and the recessed parts c used in the platform 30 of
the first embodiment may be opposite thereto. A shaft may pass through the guide instead
of providing the bosses B.
[0090] In the platforms 30, 31, 32, and 33 according to the first embodiment, the first
modified example, the second embodiment, and the second modified example, the slopes
SL
30, SL
31, SL
32, and SL
33 of the guides 30G, 31G, 32G, and 33G move to the positions in contact with the floor
F, due to their own weight. The present invention, however, is not limited thereto.
An urging member (e.g., a torsion spring, a plate spring, and a magnet) that urges
the front end SLT of each of the slopes SL
30, SL
31, SL
32, and SL
33 downward may be provided between each of the main bodies 30M, 31M, 32M, and 33M and
each of the guides 30G, 31G, 32G, and 33G, of each of the platforms 30, 31, 32, and
33. Or, a weight may be attached to each of the slopes SL
30, SL
31, SL
32, and SL
33 of the corresponding one of guides 30G, 31G, 32G, and 33G, thus moving the front
end SLT of each of the slopes SL
30, SL
31, SL
32, and SL
33 downward.
[0091] In the load detector 100, the first base 11 and the second base 12 are parts or components
separated from each other. The present invention, however, is not limited thereto.
The first base 11 and the second base 12 may be formed integrally. For example, a
flat plate extending below each of the platforms 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34 may connect
the flat plate 11a and the flat plate 12a.
[0092] In the load detector 100, the first load cell 21 and the second load cell 22 face
each other in parallel. The first load cell 21 and the second load cell 22, however,
may face each other while having an angle smaller than about 5°.
[0093] In the load detector 100, two strain gages 21g are attached to the flexure element
21s of the first load cell 21 and two strain gages 22g are attached to the flexure
element 22s of the second load cell 22. The present invention, however, is not limited
thereto, and three or more of strain gages 21g, 22g may be attached to the flexure
elements 21s, 22s, respectively.
<Third Embodiment>
[0094] Referring to Fig. 17, explanation is made about a load detection system 500 according
to a third embodiment.
[0095] The load detection system 500 mainly includes four load detectors 100 and a controller
CONT. The four load detectors 100 are connected to the controller CONT by wiring.
[0096] When the load detection system 500 is used, four casters CT fixed one-to-one to four
legs of a bed BD are respectively placed on the platforms 30 of the four load detectors
100 (Fig. 4B). This allows each of the four load detectors 100 to detect a part of
the load, of a human subject on the bed BD, which is applied to each detector via
the corresponding leg of the bed BD.
[0097] The controller CONT connected to the four load detectors 100 executes load calculation
processing in which the output from the first load cell 21 and the output from the
second load cell 22 of each load detector 100 are summed and a certain value corresponding
to a position deviation error is subtracted, and load summing-up processing in which
the loads detected by the load detectors 100 are summed. The controller CONT may execute
any other processing.
[0098] The load detection system of the third embodiment uses the load detector 100 including
the platform 30 according to the first embodiment, thereby obtaining the same effects
as those of the platform 30 according to the first embodiment. Specifically, the bed
BD can be placed on the four platforms 30 only by moving the bed BD in one direction
so that the four casters CT of the bed BD rotate to run on the slope SL
30 of the guide 30M. This achieves the placement of the bed BD on the load detectors
100 with less trouble and less manpower.
[0099] In the load detection system of the third embodiment, the number of load detectors
100 is not limited to four. Three or less or five or more of load detectors 100 may
be used in the load detection system. Further, the load detector 100 may include,
instead of the platform 30, each of the platform 31, 32, 33, and 34 according to the
second embodiment and the modified examples.
[0100] In the load detection system of the third embodiment, the output from each load detector
100 may be transmitted to the controller CONT wirelessly rather than wiring. The controller
CONT may be connected to an indicator indicating the load determined by the controller
CONT and an alarm giving a predefined alarm based on the determined load.
[0101] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and its modified examples
provided that the characteristics of the present invention can be obtained. The present
invention includes any other embodiments which can be conceived in the range of the
technical ideas of the present invention.
Industrial Applicability
[0102] The load detector and the load detection system according to the present invention
are capable of easily placing a rolling body (e.g., a caster) on a platform through
a slope and detecting a load while preventing an error which may otherwise be caused
by the slope. Thus, when the load detector and the load detection system according
to the present invention are used in hospitals, nursing homes, and the like, the load
detector can be easily disposed under a bed or the like with less manpower, thereby
contributing to improvement of medical treatment quality, nursing quality, and the
like.
Reference Signs List:
[0103]
11: first base
12: second base
21: first load cell
22: second load cell
30, 31, 32, 33, 34: platform
30M, 31M, 32M, 33M, 34M: main body
30G, 31G, 32G, 33G, 34G: guide
100: load detector
500: load detection system
BD: bed
C1: first connection part
C2: second connection part
CT: caster
SL30, SL31, SL32, SL33, SL34: slope
LV30, LV31, LV32, LV33, LV34: lever
P30, P31, P32, P33, P34: plate
W: wall